Lynn Maurer reminded those present that the Graduate School is sponsoring two events, the 14th Annual Spring Symposium on Wednesday, March 31st, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the SIU Technology and Innovation Expo on Tuesday, March 30th from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on the Edwardsville campus. The symposium will feature a tour of the Eugene B. Redmond collection on the East St. Louis campus, plus a panel discussing online teaching methods.

II. Minutes of February 19th, 2010

Ken Witt made a motion to accept the minutes; Greg Sierra seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The graduate program wishes to replace its required course EPFR 501 (Research Methods in Education) with EPFR 502 (Qualitative Inquiry in Education). EPFR 501 does not "cover qualitative research insufficient depth for the needs of the … program." The 502 course "heavily focuses on qualitative inquiry, though it also includes a few quantitative topics that are highly pertinent to educational practitioners, such as correlation and assessment." The change would have no impact on faculty or budget.

Steffany Chleboun asked whether students would receive instruction on quantitative material with this change. Laurel Puchner replied that the new curriculum will not cover quantitative methods per se, but there will be information on qualitative observational data.

John Hunt made a motion to approve the request; Ken Witt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The graduate program wishes to "more adequately align the curriculum with the professional standards and provide students with a more logically presented and comprehensive program" by changing its program of study. The thesis option currently requires 21-22 credit hours plus 8-9 hours of electives and 6 hours of thesis for a total of 36 hours. The modified program would require 22 hours, plus 8 hours of electives and 6 hours of thesis. Instead of 30 required credit hours and six hours of electives for the non-thesis option, it would require 34 credit hours and allow a minimum of 2 hours of electives. It would add SPPA 469-3 (Clinical Procedures for Individuals with Hearing Disorders) as a requirement to align it with "other required courses in the program and with procedures for assessment of the standards." SPPA 498-3 (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) would be added as a requirement to provide "basic skills in augmentative and alternative communication." SPPA 547-2 (Motor Speech Disorders in Adults) and 558-3 (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) would be dropped. SPPA 544-4 (Seminar in Language Disorders of Children), 545-4 (Acquired Communication Disorders in Adults), and 560-2 (Professional Issues in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology) would be modified. The change would have no impact on faculty or budget, and would be phased in over two years.

On page one of the rationale within the description of SPPA 498, it says, "The program would like to require an introductory course that could be taken either as an undergraduate or as a graduate student." Associate Provost Hansen asked the program to drop the word "introductory." Ken Witt expressed a concern that the program may eventually lose high quality elective courses if the elective load is reduced so greatly. The program offers two or three electives per summer term; Jean Harrison and James Panico felt that the concern was unfounded.

Steffany Chleboun made a motion to approve the request; Val Yancey seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

V. Form 91A - Biological Sciences 3 + 2 Option (CAS-09-239)

The graduate program wishes to eliminate its 3 + 2 option because it is not used properly as a means for an entering freshman to plan a five year program. It is requested by seniors to try to circumvent the "full load of courses … to graduate with a Bachelor's degree and [who] think that they can get a head start on a Master's degree." The change would have no impact on faculty or budget.

Dave Duvernell stated that when it comes to drawing a sharp division between undergraduate and graduate study, the 3 + 2 program is counterproductive. The faculty in biological sciences have no interest in offering the program. There was concern from committee members that eliminating the 3 + 2 option would discourage the more motivated students from applying to SIUE. Hansen pointed out that when the option was developed, 3 + 2 was considered an innovative idea.

Wendy Shaw added that if the faculty are not interested in offering the program, the College should get rid of it rather than give the appearance of 'false advertising' of a program that does not really exist.

Ken Witt made a motion to approve the request; Mike Shaw seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VI. Form 91A - Biological Sciences/Biotechnology Option (CAS-09-238)

The biotechnology option was made obsolete by the creation of a separate professional master's degree in biotechnology management. The graduate program wishes to eliminate the option. The change would have no impact on faculty or budget.

Ken Witt made a motion to approve the request; Mike Shaw seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VII. Form 91A - Nursing/HCNA (SON-G-10-01)

The graduate program wishes to offer its Health Care and Nursing Administrator graduate program entirely online. It would also replace courses from its specialization track (six hours of electives from the MBA, Business or PAPA programs) with NURS 501 and 510. These changes would "more closely align the program requirements with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master's Essentials." The change would have no impact on faculty or budget.

Laura Fowler made a motion to approve the request; Greg Sierra seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

VIII. Form 91A - Nursing/NE (SON-G-09-04)

The graduate program wishes to offer its Nurse Educator graduate program entirely online. It would also require a total of 39 credit hours instead of 36. The three additional credit hours are offered in the specialization track. NURS 580-3 (Teaching and Learning Theory, Development and Socialization for Nurse Educators) has been added, NURS 585b-2 (Synthesis of Teaching in Nursing: Practicum) has been eliminated, and NURS 586a-1 was changed to 586-3 (Advanced Specialty Nursing Practice for Nurse Educators: Seminar) for a net total of an additional three credit hours. These changes would "more closely align the program requirements with the National League for Nursing (NLN) Core Competencies and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master's Essentials." It would also follow the trend toward online courses to help to keep it competitive. The change would have no impact on faculty or budget.

Mike Shaw made a motion to approve the request; John Hunt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

IX. Program Review - Music

The program review committee consisted of Joanne Cattafesta, Speech Communication, Anthony Denkyirah (Program Review Chair), Special Education and Communication Disorders, and John Hunt, Educational Leadership. Professor Hunt summarized the program review results. The graduate program in music has excellent faculty, and do a great job considering the problems with the facilities. Recommendations from the Internal Review Report, written by the committee:

Major Finding 1 - Performance Facility as Number One Priority

The Committee agrees with the Department's expectation that, SIUE's elevation to Division 1 sports should spur all stakeholders to get SIUE's musical performance hall to a Division 1 status as well. The Committee shared personal experiences regarding concerts they had attended at McKendree University, St. Louis University, Webster University, and junior colleges in the metropolitan area, and found the performance facility at SIUE far below the status of a metropolitan university, which is seeking to capture the best in the area. The Committee, at its meeting with the Associate Dean of CAS, learned that the Dean of CAS has declared an interest in the construction of a modern performance hall for the University.

Recommendation #1: The Committee recommends that the University support the Dean's efforts in any way possible. The department should equally have a fund-raising plan to support the Dean's efforts. When completed, the performance hall would include areas for rehearsals, soundproof practice rooms, additional faculty offices, and instrument storage areas. It would create more space in the Dunham Hall Building, which the University can use for other purposes.

Major Finding #2: Proper Storage Space for Instruments/Equipment

The Committee came to the conclusion that the Music program is very expensive to run. It requires several musical instruments and equipment, some of which cost over one hundred thousand dollars; and are equally expensive to repair when broken. Currently, several musical instruments and equipment have been damaged or are being damaged because of out-of-control heat and humidity conditions in the Dunham Hall building. It might not be out of place to indicate here that, it might be very uncomfortable to work under such hot-humid conditions.

Recommendation #2: The Committee recommends that this matter be referred to Facilities Management for immediate attention. First, repairing the heat and humidity situation in the building will ensure long life and continuous use of instruments and equipment the Department needs in its programs. Second, SIUE will save money that would otherwise be used to replace and/or repair broken instruments and equipment. Third, addressing the heat and humidity situation will help make working in the building more comfortable.

Major Finding #3: Classroom Cleanliness/Maintenance

The Committee expresses great concern about conditions in some of the Department's classrooms. In two of its frequently-used classrooms and rehearsal halls that the Committee toured, there were waste-cans overflowing with stinky waste that seemed to have been sitting there for days, if not weeks. The floors in rooms where a pipe organ and other electronic musical instruments are kept had spills all over. Interestingly, the hall floors outside of the classroom were all in good shape - swept, mopped, and buffed to near perfection.

Recommendation #3: The Committee recommends that Facilities Management improve the supervision of their night crew to ensure that such frequently-used classroom and rehearsal rooms are cleaned every night. First, the committee was informed that on a number of occasions, this problem had caused terrible embarrassment to the department and SIUE when guest speakers and job candidates had been brought in. Second, the instruments and equipment in those rooms could become moldy and damaged. Third, in this season of flues and allergies, it is critical that such frequently-used classrooms and rehearsal areas are kept clean always. Fourth, by failing to keep our rooms clean, we would be sending a bad message to donors, prospective students, and guest performers about SIUE professional standards.

Major Finding #4: Positions for Jazz and Music Theory/Musicology

The program has highly-qualified senior and junior faculty. In fact, a few senior faculty went further to describe their adjunct faculty as well-qualified and talented in their various specializations. Additionally, the faculty is committed to students and to the graduate program. However, when listing its program resources, the department indicated a need for additional faculty positions in Jazz and Music Theory/Musicology. When this issue was raised at a meeting with the Associate Dean of CAS, it became clear that additional faculty hiring would be considered based on graduate student enrollment in those program concentrations.

Recommendation #4: Enrollment of full-time students (i.e., Fall and Spring) could increase the number of students admitted to the program. Also, the Department might consider improving advertising of its graduate programs at workshops, clinics, and performances in which its faculty and students organize or participate. The current pool of students in the graduate program is predominantly part-time students who are full-time teachers from area schools. Increased full-time graduate student enrollment would contribute positively to the quality of the program. In addition, increased full-time student enrollment would enable the Department to advance a stronger case for additional faculty, as being proposed for Jazz and Music Theory/Musicology.

Major Finding #5: Stronger Vision for the Future

The Committee finds the Department's effort to meet the needs of today's society, as very encouraging, indeed. For instance, the department has recently introduced new courses and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate programs. Unfortunately, departments of Music in universities within the Metropolitan St. Louis area are formidable competitors for students that SIUE might want to attract to its graduate music program. In this case, it could be rightly anticipated that, programs that are innovative may be able to attract the best applicants. Though, the development of a stronger vision for the graduate program was not a widespread concern from the faculty, a few faculty who raised the issue were passionate about this issue. It is the Committee's opinion that the department considers it as an important issue.

Recommendation #5: There is a need for the SIUE Music graduate program to develop a stronger vision for the future that could be unique in the area. The Committee believes that the program should consider developing a stronger vision for the future in anticipation of a state-of-the-art performance hall, and also, to be able to compete well with colleges and universities in the area for the best applicants to their program.

Major Finding # 6: Student Learning Outcomes

The Department analyzes student learning outcomes through a variety of ways, including performance, critique, research and writing. As mentioned earlier, the department's culminating experiences of student learning outcomes is very rigorous.

Recommendation #6: The Committee commends the program in the way and manner student learning outcomes are assessed. Graduates from the program have strong reputation in the field because of the in-depth training and high standards expected of students in their culminating experiences.

The Committee believes that efforts to increase full-time graduate student enrollment will precipitate a need for increased funding to support graduate assistantships, awards and bursaries, as well as advertisements and other publicity efforts.

Recommendation #7: Faculty research may be an additional source to support full-time graduate student in the program. Hopefully, CAS will be able to increase graduate assistantship quota for the program when the economic situation improves. Availability of financial support for full-time graduate students in the program will attract high quality students to the program.

Major Finding #8: Yamaha Piano Loan Program

The Committee learned that the Yamaha Corporation has recently withdrawn its Piano Loan Program Agreement it had with the department. As a consequence, the department might soon be in need of well-conditioned pianos. Coupled with the heat and humidity problem in the Dunham Hall building, it would be anticipated that there could be a need for more pianos in the very near future.

Recommendation #8: The Committee raised the issue with the Associate Dean (CAS), but the Associate Dean stated that it was the first time she was being informed about it. The Committee recommends that the department discuss this recent development with the Dean. The Dean and his Associate Deans may be able to help the department to find a solution to the problem.

Wendy Shaw stated that Dean Romero is talking to architects and donors in regard to creating a new performance facility. Shaw was optimistic and said that this issue is fairly high on the college dean's agenda. Darryl Coan said that the music faculty is going to review the mission statement for the graduate program as part of their coming accreditation evaluation. Audrey Tallant said that the graduate program in music felt a great deal of support from the college and the administration. Hansen asked how much effort the graduate program is putting into recruiting international students. Coan replied that international applications decreased after 9/11 but enrollment is currently two (up from zero) international students out of forty.

Val Yancey made a motion to approve the report; Laura Fowler seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

X. Program Review - Art Studio

The program review committee consisted of Charles Berger (Program Review Chair), English Language and Literature, Marta Simidtchieva, Music, and Myung Sin Song, Mathematics and Statistics. Professor Berger summarized the program review results. He said that the faculty is doing an outstanding job. Recommendations from the Internal Review Report, written by the committee:

Recommendation #1: The question of accreditation by NASAD is a lingering issue for the department. Apparently, the process has been "underway" in some form or other for at least a decade, but the momentum never seems to be sustained. Some members of the department feel very strongly about the issue, others less so. We recommend that the department come to resolution on the question of pursuing accreditation.

Recommendation #2: ART 505 (Graduate Theory) is a crucial gateway course for all graduate students, introducing them to contemporary critical issues that affect all visual artists. Our review indicates that while the course has without question succeeded in meeting these goals overall, since the class is taught on a rotating basis, there is the possibility that its lack of a core syllabus or reading list may lead to overly diffuse versions. We wish to tread carefully here, because no single-semester course can claim to present the "whole" of contemporary theory even in an introductory sense. Still, we recommend that the faculty meet periodically to review the goals of 505 and try to insure that students who take the class will be having relatively similar experiences. Variety is crucial, without doubt, but so is the "core" element in a theory course. In any event, it should prove invigorating for faculty members to assess the aims and accomplishments of the class on a regular basis.

Recommendation #3: The question of stacked 400/500 level course is of course another lingering issue for the department. One could argue that the department has achieved excellence already under the mixed format, but there is a persistent level of student discontent with the arrangement indicating that one way for the department to bring about improvement would involve trying to find a creative way of allowing for more students to take dedicated graduate student studio classes. How do similar programs at other schools handle this situation?

Recommendation #4: We were surprised to learn that Art and Design has no technicians on staff to assist with the maintenance of equipment. This puts added stress on faculty members. We recommend that CAS consider hiring at least one staff technician for Art and Design.

Berger stated that there are plans to alleviate the space concerns with an expansion and retrofitting of the Art and Design building. Every cubic foot is being used. The faculty are not aware of the final allocation of space between art studio and the other three sections of the art and design faculty. The sections heavy in ceramics, metal, and sculpture will especially benefit from retrofitting. There are safety issues that need to be addressed above all else. Stacked graduate classes, in which 400- and 500-level courses are taught at the same time in the same place, has been a perennial issue. Except for 505, all the other graduate courses are offered with 400-level courses. The faculty is divided on the importance of accreditation. Berger added that all faculty should tour the building. He said that the three-year program offers a mid point assessment and takes the progress of its students extremely seriously. There are a lot of exhibitions at that time.

Wendy Shaw stated that she is encouraging the department to look closely at safety issues in the near future. Part of the problem lies in the space concerns, and the college will contact the Emergency Management and Safety office for assistance. Shaw also commented that the figure of $2,000 for library resources seemed incorrect. When Hansen asked why the faculty are not pursuing accreditation, Denhouter stated that the faculty are divided on the merits of attaining accreditation. Hansen replied that an accreditation provides validation, and suggested that the faculty consider it. Of more serious concern is the practice of stacking courses. Denhouter said that the undergraduates benefit from having graduate students in the same class, but that this has been a perennial issue. It would be extremely difficult to fill high level graduate courses with enough students to prevent them from being cancelled. Paul Dresang added that the program enrollment is near the maximum number of students that it can handle. Hansen reminded the graduate program representatives that at least half of a graduate student's program must be made up of courses that are for graduate credit only. When the program review goes before the Provost next year, the graduate program in art studio should be prepared for the Provost to raise this issue.

John Denhouter thanked the committee for being so collegial with the faculty and students during the review process. The review brought out confirmation of all the faculty's hard work.

The Chair's response to the interim review was not forwarded to the Graduate School. Denhouter agreed to forward it to Chris Kessler to post on BlackBoard.

Mike Shaw made a motion to approve the report; Val Yancey seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

XI. Continuing Business

There was no continuing business.

XII. New Business

There was no new business.

XIII. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 4:03 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephen L. Hansen
Associate Provost for Research and
Dean, The Graduate School